Title: Garden of the Gods
Authors: AnakinsFavorite and PrincessElisabeth
Characters: Vader, Padmé, Obi-Wan and more as the story will develop
Genre: Angst, Romance, History based.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately we still don't own Star Wars nor the Iliad nor the Odyssey (those belong to some ancient Greek guy we learned about in school but have since then forgotten!)

Summary: Long ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away...

Even longer ago then SW...

A new Galaxy based on the Trojan War era

Chapter 1: The Golden Cage

The Nubian sun washed gracefully over the majestic Imperial Palace causing the elegant and impressive castle to bale in its light and the walls shine with a shade of pure gold. Alone on her balcony, the Empress enjoyed the evening rays as they caressed her face. Lady Vader inhaled the sweet scent of the flowers coming from all around her. Just standing here and enjoying the silence was one of the things she favored most when the Emperor was not with her because he usually didn't like it when she left the shadow of his dark personage. Padmé didn't understand what was so public about their private balcony and she never really comprehended why he was almost afraid to let her alone outside. When she asked him he always stated the public was too dangerous to be seen alone without the protection of a male.

She hated it when he was so protective but, of course, every woman longed for her husband to give protection but Padmé felt as if she were literally Vader's posession. At some times when he was showing her off, the thought of being bought on a market filled her mind.

The feast Vader had once given was such a situation. During the whole evening, he had made it clear to everyone how much he loved her, how beautiful she was, and how blessed he was with having her as his wife. Every civilian had agreed with him and they had worshipped their Empress. Even to this day.

With she remembered the dress she had worn. It was as elaborate as possible, made from the finest but heaviest brocade and decorated with small golden ornaments. Padmé had worn a heavy headdress and, like the gown it was ridiculously elaborate. The Emperor had told her constantly how beautiful she was and constantly wanted to dance with her. At first the Empress she hadn't minded it, but after three dances, she was exhausted. Vader had allowed Padmé to rest awhile, while he went off to get a drink.

Once she had sat sipping on a crystal glass filled with expensive wine when a charming man had come up to Padmé and asked her for a dance. The Empress still didn't know why she had accepted but wished she hadn't. Once Vader had seen them on the floor he had furiously demanded for an explanation and Padmé was forced to watch in fright as Vader used his gloved hand to choke the man.

"Padmé?"

His voice reached her ears and she sighed wearily. The Empress closed her eyes and enjoyed the last seconds of her peaceful surroundings before all the tranquilness would leave as his black cape swept over the walkway towards her as if its cold touch frosted the nature about him. As she opened her eyes again she saw a group of birds flying up in the distance and disappeared behind the mountains, and Padmé momentarily thought it seemed as if they were fleeing from him.

"Padmé what are you doing out here?"

She heard him step onto the balcony and felt his muscular arms wrapped around her slim waist.

"I told you not to come out here anymore without me," Vader said chilly.

"Why?" she dared to challenge him. "This is our private balcony and we're the only ones who have access to the gardens down here," Padmé laughed.

"People can spot you-something I don't like." His breath caressed her ear and she shivered but Vader's words were too threatening to make it a pleasurable shiver. He sounded cold. Icy.

"The garden streches far beyond where our eye can reach and has guards at the only entrance. No one can spot me," she told him. Padmé escaped out of Vader's grip and strode away from him. After drinking in the beautiful scenery she turned to him. "Why must you be so over-protective?"

Vader sighed. "I have told you before. It's dangerous for someone like you."

Padmé raised an eyebrow. "What can possibly be so dangerous in this city? I mean, Palpatine is somewhere across the Galaxy—He really won't come after me once I exited the palace." She sighed. "I want to go out. All I see are the inside walls of this palace. My eyes, my mind long to see something different like our town, the market where I can buy fabrics for new dresses. I want to experience that and to see our people."

Vader didn't fail to see the excitement within her eyes. He moved over to her and brushed a loose strand of her brown curls back from her face. "What's wrong with my palace? You have everything you need and your maidens buy your fabrics from the most exotic places. Send them back if you don't like their purchases. And you really don't want to see our people--They're not like us. They're dirty, rude and men will stare at you and undress you with their eyes. I'm the only one who may do that Vader thought as a devilish smile played across his face.

"I'm Empress. They wouldn't dare to do that."

"Believe me, who you are doesn't make a difference. In public you'll be with me so I can protect you from them, and they'll see that you're mine and mine alone, but I simply don't have the time to go shopping for women's stuff. Because of that you don't leave the palace."

Padmé chewed her lip thoughtfully. "But at least I could go once, just to know what it is like. It's not like they're going to steal me or something," she laughed.

Vader smiled for a moment his serious expression quickly returned. "No. You can't risk it. Just believe me, and let them be satisfied when they see a glimpse of the most beautiful woman in the Galaxy when we're in public. Which will make them happy enough."

"But I'm bored here!" Padmé said and she knew she sounded whiney but she didn't care. She just longed to see more than only this palace.

Vader sighed and had to resist the urge to show his anger. Instead he just gathered her in his arms. "Then spend time with me," he answered and began to nuzzle her neck. He moved slowly up to her jaw, trailing a line of light kisses. He reached her well-shaped lips and nibbled softly on them before capturing them in a hot and passionate kiss.

Padmé enjoyed his touch but part of her rather wanted to stop it. She felt how he parted from her and hoped it would stay like this and that he would leave, but then before she knew it Vader had swept Padmé off her feet and carried her into their spacious bedroom where he laid the Empress down on their luxurious bed. There was nothing she could do but obey.